One of the newest residents of the Niabi Zoo has died. Today the zoo announced the young male giraffe, named Genesis, had to be euthanized.
The reason - his continuing difficulty recovering from a leg injury.
Genesis was hurt soon after his birth in February when his mother accidentally stepped on his front leg. And his healing was complicated by his rapid growth - according to Zoo Director, Marc Heinzman, "As he continued to grow rapidly, that meant more and more weight for his injured leg to bear which was not conducive to the healing process.”
Surgery was not possible because of his rapid growth.
The calf has been sent to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine,
where a veterinary pathologist will complete a full necropsy (animal autopsy).
